I am not in a position to travel far from Hockley. Is there a reason why all Hockley conveyancers are not on all mortgage company panels?
Banks tend to impose restrictions on either the type or the number of conveyancing practices on their approved list of lawyers. A common example of such criteria being that a practice is required to have two or more partners. As well as restricting the type of firm, some banks for instance HSBC made a decision to reduce the size of their panel they permit to act for them. It is worth noting that banks have no responsibility for the quality of advice supplied by any Hockley conveyancing practitioner on their panel. Mortgage fraud was the key driver in the culling of conveyancing panels in the last decade even though there are differing points of view concerning the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Data published by HMLR reveal that thousands of law organisations only transact a couple of conveyances a year. Those advocating conveyancing panel consolidation question why conveyancing firms deserve any entitlement to remain on a bank panel when clearly conveyancing is not their primary expertise?
About to place a bid on a leasehold property in Hockley. The property agents assure me that it is standard for flats in Hockley to have less than 75 years remaining. I am expecting a loan with Chelsea Building Society. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 72 years to go.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 23/3/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am expecting a AIP from Skipton this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Skipton recommend any Hockley solicitors on the Skipton conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?
You will need to appoint Hockley solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Skipton conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Skipton through the process.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Hockley solicitor - who is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Coventry BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Coventry BS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your property lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Hockley postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Hockley.
My sealed bid on a semi in Hockley has been accepted, but there is a chain. The owners have put an offer on somewhere, however it’s not yet agreed to, and have viewings of other apartments booked. I have instructed a high street conveyancing solicitor in Hockley. What should be my next step? When do I get the mortgage application with Barclays going?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket prematurely (mortgage application is in the region of £1k, then survey, Hockley conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you must check that your conveyancer is on the Barclays approved list. Regarding the next phase this very much dictated by the specifics of your case, motivation for this property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market some home buyers will apply for the mortgage with Barclays and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their conveyancing practitioner to move forward with the conveyancing in Hockley.
I'm purchasing my first flat in Hockley with a loan from Barnsley Building Society. The builders would not reduce the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The house builders rep advised me not to tell my lawyer about the side-deal as it would put at risk my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Hockley is the location of the property. Can you offer any advice?
Flying freeholds in Hockley are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Hockley you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Hockley may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.
I am selling my property. My former conveyancers has retired. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Hockley if that affects matters.
You should use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Hockley. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes smoothly.